The Sport Class has been growing and growing. Speeds are increasing and racers are becoming more and more innovative. The aircraft are kit-built and have heavily modified powerplants from 4 to 12 cylinders. The top aircraft are stripped of every non-race essential part to save weight and the engines are tuned and tweaked to squeeze every drop of power it will give up.

Speeds range from low 200's to over 400 mph! This year, last year's Champion, Jeff LaVelle broke the qualifying record with a speed of 409 mph. The Sport Gold surpass the Unlimited Bronze speeds - but with far less coolness ;)

They have their own course that measures 6.37 miles.

Sad start this year as long-time pilot/owner Lee Behel crashed and was lost during qualifying on Monday. Lee was flying the #5 GP-5 Sweet Dreams when he encountered problems around Pylon 5/6. Lee was a great guy and well respected race pilot. He will be missed.

The Gold Final on Sunday was won by Jeff LaVelle in #39 Glasair III at 398 mph. John Parker in the Thunder Mustang #352 did not start. The race was not close at all but some drama unfolded early.

Bob Wolstenholme in #88 Another Mistress had a mayday at the end of lap 1. He pulled up past the home pylon with some flame exiting the stacks. He set up for Runway 14 but landed in the desert crossing 14 on an angle, skidding to a stop in a pile of dust. Bob opened the canopy and exited on his own as emergency crews arrived. Photos in the Maydays page.